Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gollywog]

I don't live in Seoul, so I can't judge this ad fairly. But I can say it doesn't make me want to visit. Why would I want to travel halfway around the world to look at/take pictures of tile roofs, tile roofs, tile roofs, tile roofs, tile roofs, a little girl skating, Disneyland, and a bridge?

Although I do live in Korea, I still don't have any desire Seoul, as Korea has the same tile roofs everywhere, It also has bridges everywhere. I've been skating, and I want to go to Disneyland about as much as I want to visit the Institute of Peanut Butter History. How about some images of fine restaurants, world-class museums, streets with beautiful architecture, pretty girls enjoying life, etc?

"Seoul, the Soul of Asia"

'Nuff said.

Some ads, the more you run them, the more people avoid the product or political candidate. My guess is that this is the case here. What prospective tourist would see that ad and say, "Gladys, we're canceling the trip to Thailand, and going to Seoul, instead. I want to look at the tile roofs."

But how can you get lower than zero? I have NOT seen ONE foreign tourist in my entire time in Korea. I have not seen ANY sign of a foreign tourist industry, such as even one postcard. (Don't remember what a tourist looks like? Visit New York City if you want to see what tourists look like.)

I have seen Korean tourists, of course, lots of cheap hotels everywhere, and resort hotels along the island shores. Why? People IN Seoul want to get OUT OF Seoul and see the rest of Korea. That's understandable.

I have seen foreigners, of course, and talked to many of them. Most of them are here working for foreign companies in heavy industry because the pay is good, usually in specialized skill jobs, or supervising and quality control of Korean work. And there are FTs. No tourists, though.

Has anyone seen any foreign tourists in Korea? I am genuinely curious. Maybe they are coming to Korea, just not where I live.

I am somewhat skeptical, though. The museums here are not terribly foreigner friendly, in terms of English information. And there are other barriers to tourism.... What American would come to Korea for a holiday, after all the anti-American protests? Indeed, what Caucasian, knowing they would probably treated on the assumption that if they are white and speak English they are probably American?

Korea is clueless.



_______

ABIS

[Vancouver]

I saw plenty of japanese tourists when I was in Korea

[Hank the Iconoclast]

The only tourists I see in Buyeo are Koreans and sometimes Japanese.

[Captain Corea]

In Seoul, I see dozens every day. My daily jaunts take me through Meyong-dong (where I see mainly Japanese tourists), Namdaemun (a lot of Western tourists), and Seoul Station (tourists of varying sorts).

You may not see tourists in Korea, but I'm asked for directions on nearly a daily basis.

The tourists are here - if you want to know specifically how many, you can check out the Immigration website (they display the stats).

[captain kirk]

Golligwog, if you want to see tourists go to Namdemun Market in Seoul. There are always Japanese tourists there. The same goes for Kukjeh Market area in Pusan.

But they can't really be classified as 'tourists' (as in world travelling tourists) because they mostly just come over to shop.

Korea is a homogenous society and is not accustomed to dealing with foreigners. They're not big world travelling tourists themselves. There are two weeks vacation for most company men and a popular destination is the beaches of the East Sea.

The Korean public relations crew that made the ad which shows tile roofs love Korea so much they can't see the forest for the trees. Or picture what an outsider (foreign tourist who might want to visit) would like to see.

Maybe it's just pride, 'look at these Korean tile roofs, huh, 'nuff said'.

[justaguy]

I see some. Various nationalities but mostly Japanese and Chinese. Proximity to those countries is the best explanation for this.

The country has a devalued currency which always attracts tourists. The Japanese and Chinese definitely like shopping here. Korea has better selection that China and cheaper prices than Japan. I have even seen Namdaemun often have better prices than in China.

It also offers something different from more common tourist destinations.

[PeteJB]

I not only see but hear about tourists all the time, from friends who have friends visiting, etc - they are tourists too. Also seen some Chinese tourists from time to time, acting all touristy.

Anyone ever seen the ads for Dubai? Now that's what I call advertising. Granted, Korea is no Dubai - but Korea (Seoul) does have good hotels, lots of things to see, lots of places to shop, a long history... etc. If they made the stunning ads in the style of Dubai's, they might even attract some tourists. And it's not like Korea doesn't have resorts and coastlines, a bit of hard work would go a long way to improving them.

[sojourner1]

I met one tourist last year in Seoul who's from Tokyo. He was a really cool guy.

While Korea is trying to promote tourism, they will need to get more friendlier and accommodating like the Thai. I can go to Thailand and walk into any restaurant or room rental place, regardless of how non-touristy and authentic it is, even a roadside shack, and I still get friendly accommodating service with no rejection or denial of service. In Korea, they(ajummas) often turn you away and say, "anio," or, "No." It's like my money is not as good as someone elses. I live in an area promoting itself as a tourist region and a place that serves freshwater fish such as trout and brook perch wouldn't serve me yesterday. I got my wallet out and offered 50,000 for the dam fish and she wouldn't sell to me while she sells them every day to Koreans. She just told me to leave. Many restaurants and motels in Korea are not one bit accommodating, I've had this happen more times than I want to say, and this is one of the main reasons why Korea is not a comfortable and attractive country to tour. It's fine to go to Seoul a few days and then continue on somewhere else which is what most tourists do. Every time I mention Korea at home to Asian friends such as from Philippines, Japan, and China, they express disgust and dislike about the idea of going to Korea. It's too bad, but Korea has still yet to make it's mind up on whether it wants to be a 1st class competitive destination or a nation of retarded geeks who got technology, but not world class culture, service, and cuisine.

Korea could do better with tourism if they were not so culturally retarded when it comes to hospitality and interacting with foreigners. Korea could take a look at what Thailand and many others are doing, but Korea is too selfish and closed minded with an inward thinking kind of ideology. I'm sure there was a time when Thailand was not so culturally advanced enough to provide great service to tourists like it does today. All it would take for Korea to do it is to open it's mind, gourmetize the Korean cuisine, speak more English, document attractions in English, make good directions and maps in English, and actually be warm and friendly.

[Gollywog]

Tourists coming to Korea to shop? That's a surprise. My first thought is things must be pretty bad in China and Japan, But I guess they get a refund on the sales tax, being tourists. That would make things a lot cheaper.

If that is the case, perhaps the tourist ads should include footage of the markets, and tourists shopping.

Now that I think of it, Korea does get some tourists from relatives of FTs who come over to visit.

How about a better slogan?

Seoul: Shop till you drop.

or

Seoul: Come for the kimchi.

or

Seoul: Come for the kimchi, stay for the shopping.



_____

ABIS

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[A2Steve]

I'm just trying to wonder why someone would have such an axe to grind with the Korean tourist industry.



BTW, I see many postcards in shops all over. Perhaps it's just a matter of opening one's eyes.

[monkinwonderland]

I didn't live in Seoul, and I stayed in hostels a few times when I went there. They were generally nearly empty with maybe a few Korean kids around. One time there were a couple of European girls. I was also on the metro one time and I met a couple of German guys.
Somehow I suspect you were only asking about Western tourists, so then my answer is 4. I only saw four.

However, every time I went to Myeong Dong or thereabouts, I saw mobs of Japanese.

[Yaya]

Korea DOES attract tourists, though not as many as say, Japan or Thailand. Yes, the Korea Tourism Organzation is a bunch of idiot ajummas who waste gobs of tax money, but the main reasons are beyond the organization's control.

More people around the world know about China or Japan and Korea is quite expensive and not foreigner friendly as China and Japan can be. It seems many people who discover Korea do it by chance, say by a brief trip or a short-term work assignment or just a year to avoid getting a job back home.

Most of the tourists who come to Korea, in my opinion, do so because of the Korean Wave (though mostly Asians); had a Korean friend; have a Korean female fetish; and the like.

[seoulsucker]

I saw two older tourists trying to catch a cab around midnight in Jongno last night. Of course, every cab pulled up, took a look/listened to their destination, and sped right off. The older woman was about in tears after the 5th or 6th one. She just couldn't understand why the taxis wouldn't stop.

I explained the reason and she was just apalled. She said something to the effect of, "The Thais will overcharge you, but at least they'll pick you up."

Korea has a lot of gaps to fill before it can become a world class tourist destination. Hey, how about "Korea, Spackling" ???